Spanish born, New York-resident guitarist and composer Oscar Peñas epitomizes a new wave of emerging artists who are an integral part of New York’s flourishing creative music scene whose work transcends and yet merges different genres, cultures and styles with fluidity, grace and power.
While Peñas‘ music can be called “jazz,” it crosses the traditional boundaries of that idiom in his original compositions flavored with hints of flamenco and South American grooves.
His fourth album and second release in the US, "Music of Departures and Returns" features Sara Caswell on violin, Moto Fukushima on bass and Richie Barshay on drums.
The band is augmented with three special guests: Paquito D'Rivera, Gil Goldstein and Esperanza Spalding.

Video

Another incarnation of the ensemble with Oscar Peñas on electric guitar, Dan Blake on tenor sax, Moto Fukushima on 6-string electric bass and Richie Barshay on drums.

"Paco" live @ The Kennedy Center

"Paco," is a tribute to guitarist Paco de Lucia, who marked a before and after in modern flamenco. Featuring violin and electric guitar, 6/8 rhythm evokes the feel of flamenco, from a personal perspective, never attempting to mimic or make an explicit reference to De Lucia's playing.

New Releases

Music of Departures and Returns is my fourth album and second in the USA. It features other composer's songs for the first time in my recorded career and the choices often speak to personal experiences.